Why isn't my arm working?

A blog by Lisa Phillips, Professional Speaker and Confidence Coach

Several months ago, I realised something very strange was going on with my body!

It started with a numbness feeling in my right arm, and after a week or so, the numbness had spread all the way up my arm, into my shoulder and on the right side of my face. Not being a big fan of running to the doctor, I decided to wait a few days to see if it would improve.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when after a few more days I was unable to even pick up a mug with my right hand and seemed unable to co-ordinate even the most simple task such as dialling a number on my phone or making myself something to eat.   Fortunately, I am left handed so I was able to manage – albeit a little slower than usual.
As a result,  I went to visit my GP who sent me off for several MRI’s and other medical tests to find out what was going on with my body.

I need to be honest here, I am not a 100% fan of medical diagnosis. For me, dis-ease in the body is often caused by an old way of thinking or resistant thoughts. As a result, I also believe in taking the time to listen and tune into my body to find out what is really going on with any illness.

To cut a long story short, my doctor informed me that I had the start of Multiple Sclerosis and referred me to a specialist at my local hospital.

However, even as he spoke those words to me, my body didn’t seem to agree with his opinion so later than afternoon,   I sat down to meditate in hope of receiving guidance on what my body was trying to tell me.

Looking back, this all happened at a time I was feeling rather disconnected with Life. Certain parts of my career were sucking my energy dry leaving me feeling disconnected on a daily basis. Being someone who usually jumps out of bed excited about my day,   I had chosen to put my head in the sand and tolerate a few jobs which may have brought me extra cash, but they actually ended up getting on my nerves and importantly did not align with vision of myself. Therefore, it is really no surprise that my body was trying to get my attention by causing a disconnect with the nerves in my body!

Three months since that diagnosis, I feel fantastic. Gone are the things that drain me of my joy and leave me feeling disconnected.   It was a little scary letting go of some of these things but interestingly a lot easier when you know your health is on the line!  More importantly, my connection with myself has increased tenfold and my vibration has never felt higher and it is increasing each day. Every day when I wake, my priority is feeling good rather than getting things done.

Each day I mindfully take the time to make choices which will enhance my wellbeing, rather than take away my wellbeing. I now sleep longer, take longer over my morning walk and turn down opportunities that don’t feel are aligned with my vision of me.

My hand has now regained 80% of its former use and some days I don’t even notice it. To be honest, I am really grateful for this diagnosis as it made me look at my life and make some important changes.

I remember listening to Abraham Hicks at a workshop when he said ‘If a tooth would fall out of your head every time you didn’t feel good, you would be more likely to do something about it’.

Isn’t that the case? How many of us just put up with stuff even though it doesn’t feel good? How many of us don’t take the time to care about how we feel or to do what we need to do in order to feel better?

In addition, when we are unwell, what do we focus on? Most of us keep our attention and focus on ‘being unwell’ which just creates more ‘being unwell’. Therefore if you want to be healthy, start to focus on health rather than sickness.

To conclude, this is the most wondrous experience I ever have. I delight each day that my hand improves that I am healing from within and in doing so, am becoming closer and closer to who I really am. Most of all I delight in the joy I feel each day, excited about my life unfolding as I am now keeping up with my own vision of me.

Lisa Phillips is a Life and Confidence Coach based in Sydney. She is also a professional speaker and author of ‘The Confidence Coach’ (Exile 2015). To find out more, please see www.amazingcoaching.com.au or www.howtoempoweryourstaff.com.